Mexico’s National Tourism Development Fund (Fonatur) has announced a new mega-complex to be built in the conflicted southern state of Chiapas. Centering around the Classic Maya ruins of Palenque, the complex will include an 8,000-room hotel, theme park and golf… Read moreChiapas: mega-tourism, narco-terror at Palenque
Mexico’s National Human Rights Commission (CNDH) turned in its final report on last year’s unrest in Oaxaca May 24, blaming both authorities and protesters for “excesses,” and urging the government to investigate its finding that federal police tortured detainees. The… Read moreMexico: human rights commission hands in Oaxaca report
Bolivia’s lower house Chamber of Deputies has approved a measure calling for incorporation of indigenous languages into the educational system. Warning that “every langauge represents a unique vision of the world,” UNESCO recently found that 35 indigenous languages in Bolivia… Read moreBolivia moves to protect indigenous languages
Libya announced May 29 it will sign a $900-million exploration deal with BP, marking a return by the UK oil giant to the North African country after a 33-year absence. The announcement came ahead of a visit to Tripoli by… Read moreLibya to sign $900M oil deal with BP
The Philippine government and the country’s largest Islamic rebel group are moving closer to a deal on defining Muslim ancestral, leaders of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) have announced. “It’s almost in the bag,” said Eid Kabalu, MILF spokesman…. Read morePhilippines: peace deal with Moro rebels?
From the New York City environmental group Time’s Up, May 29: NYPD Issues “Parading Without a Permit” Summons on City-Advertised Critical Mass Ride Ride was listed on Bike Month Calendar financed by Department of Transportation Last Friday, May 25th, NYPD… Read moreNYPD shut down Critical Mass —again!
At least 16 were killed and 67 injured in two attacks in the eastern Ethiopia towns of Jijiga and Degah Abur May 28. Up to 11 were killed when a hand grenade was thrown as hundreds of people gathered at… Read moreEthiopia terror: ONLF guerillas or government provocation?
At least 13 people were killed and more than 32 wounded in Shiberghan, capital of Afghanistan’s northern Jowzjan province, when police opened fire to break up a protest against governor Juma Khan Hamdard on May 28. Provincial spokesmen said protesters… Read moreAfghanistan: police fire on protesters in northern province
From Reporters Without Borders via AllAfrica, May 25: Reporters Without Borders has called for the immediate release of Abdel Fettah Ould Ebeidna, managing editor of the daily newspaper “Al-Aqsa”, who was sent to prison in Nouakchott on 24 May 2007… Read moreMauritania: editor imprisoned
US and Iranian diplomats met in Baghdad for their first formal direct talks in more than a quarter of a century May 28, to discuss the security situation in Iraq. Washington’s ambassador to Iraq Ryan Crocker called the proceedings “businesslike.”… Read moreIran protests US spy networks to Swiss ambassador
Since his election as Nicaragua’s president last November, Daniel Ortega of the Sandinista National Liberation Front (FSLN) has pledged to end his country’s participation in the IMF, weighed in for Iran’s right to nuclear power, and announced new drives for… Read moreDeja vu in Nicaragua: our readers write
Venezuela’s President Hugo Chavez called on Pope Benedict XVI to apologize to the indigenous people of Latin America for his comments on the evangelization of the region. During an official visit to Brazil last week, the Pope defended the evangelization… Read moreChavez: Pope must apologize to indigenous peoples
